The engine coughed back to life just as they veered into thick fog and lost pursuit. They reached the island’s shore soaked but alive.
The facility loomed gray and prison-like.
Michael forced open a side door and ran upstairs with Lily in his arms. Room 312.
Locked.
He kicked it open.
Claire sat by the window, pale and fragile, her eyes distant.
“Claire?” he whispered.
She slowly turned. “Michael?”
He knelt, holding her hands. “I’m here.”
Then she saw Lily peeking from behind him.
“Mom?” Lily said softly.
Claire broke into tears.
“Lily…”
They embraced like people pulled back from the edge of the grave.
Then Catherine appeared in the doorway with two guards and the facility director.
“It’s over,” she snapped. “Legally, she’s incapacitated.”
“She’s my wife,” Michael said, standing between them.
“Remove them,” Catherine ordered.
Before the guards could act, sirens wailed outside.
Federal agents stormed in.
“FBI! Don’t move!”
Catherine went pale.
“It’s finished,” Michael told her quietly.
The scandal exploded nationwide. Richard and Margaret were arrested for fraud and unlawful confinement. Catherine faced prison for conspiracy and abuse. The empire built on image collapsed.